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Friday, September 15, 2017

In the Garden

In the Garden

Matthew 26:38

Then saith He unto them, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.”

Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-50; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:1-11

When Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane, He knew He would be arrested, shamed, humiliated and put through severe testing. The Word of God makes it clear that Jesus knew all things that would happen to Him and that nothing was a surprise to Him or out of His and the Father’s control.

This same Jesus understood fully all that His dying would entail. He knew what pain He would bear before He ever set foot in the garden. He knew of the floggings He would endure leaving Him to the point of death. He knew of the metal spikes that would pierce His body–––the most excruciating pain one could experience. That night during His prayer, every sorrow He had ever known seemed to fall upon Him. We could never comprehend the depth of Christ’s agony or the terror of divine wrath He would suffer that night.

The disciples were familiar with the Garden of Gethsemane they had gone there with Jesus before (John 18:2). On this particular night, the disciples were given instructions to, “Pray that ye enter not into temptation” (Luke 22:40). Jesus told them of the horrible trial they would witness and yet, they fell asleep leaving Jesus to bear His anguish alone.

The prayer of Christ gives us a look into His heart as He suffers the supreme sacrifice and surrenders to the Father’s will. The Holy Son of God never knowing even the most insignificant sin would become sin for us. When Christ finished praying, He had the victory He had sought for during that long agonizing night . In perfect harmony with the will of His Father, Christ would shed His blood for sinful man. May we never forget what our Lord endured on our behalf.

Lord, thank You for Your supreme sacrifice in obeying the Father’s will.